Trust Officer – Southwest Region at Adventist… · Remote

Position Title: Trust Officer – Southwest Region Employment Status: Full Time – 38 hours

Internal Class Title: Trust Officer Job Classification: S 22

Department: Planned Giving and Trust Services Wage Class: Exempt

Accountable to: Director of PGTS Date Written: November 2024

Position Summary:

This position reports directly to the Director of PGTS and assists with responsibilities in the Planned Giving and Trust Department. The Trust Officer serves to build quality relationships with donors and potential donors by communicating the organization’s vision and mission so they can participate in funding its evangelistic goals. This will mean representing and effectively communicating gift planning and trust services for the Ministry at events, meetings, and with individual donors in their homes. It is crucial that this position supports the mission and values of It Is Written by exemplifying the values and beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in all interactions.

Authority & Accountability:

As delegated by and accountable to the Director of Planned Giving and Trust Services (PGTS) in accordance with It Is Written’s policies and objectives.

Essential Position Functions:

• Perform Trust Officer responsibilities in the Southwest Region for It Is Written. This region is defined as: California, Arizona, and the southern part of Nevada. This region is subject to change by the Director of PGTS from time to time.
• Field representative at functions and with individual donors:
  • Search for opportunities to communicate with people about the vision and mission of It Is Written to help facilitate donors’ goals of funding evangelistic initiatives.
  • Represent the Ministry and/or speak at seminars, major donor events, conferences, convocations, and Partnership events as assigned.
  • Be willing and able to travel as needed to meet donors face-to-face in their space. Plan travel to maximize travel budget by seeing as many donors as possible in a geographic territory on the same trip.
  • Assist donors with planned gifts, including but not limited to cash, non-cash gifts, gift annuities, life insurance gifts, wills, charitable trusts, and revocable trust plans.
  • Remain continuously in contact with donors with a healthy balance of phone and written communications and face-to-face visits.
  • Maintain ongoing relationships with donors so as to always have an influence in the donor’s life for when and if they want to make current and future gifts.
  • Interview donors at every opportunity to learn about their spiritual and financial situation and assist them as needed with their giving goals.
• Explain and assist donors with the planned giving program and processes:
  • Explain planned giving to prospective donors and share educational materials.
  • Assist donors in organizing their estate plan and help them complete an Estate Questionnaire that they can present to their choice of legal counsel.
  • Present gift plan illustrations and proposals to donors, including options that are designed to suit their values, priorities, and goals.
  • Obtain information to complete the Environmental Questionnaire and Site Inspection Checklist for each parcel of real property to be part of the estate plan.
  • Forward information and documents to the PGTS office as needed for files and fiduciary responsibilities.
  • Work with office staff to follow through on the administrative recording and filing of the gift and/or estate plan. Provide instructions to the office staff as needed to make sure all details are properly handled.
• Administrative expectations:
  • Initiate phone, email, hard-copy correspondence, and other contacts with donors on a consistent and regular basis.
  • Plan to make, on average, 35 face-to-face visits per month.
  • Participate in setting realistic territory goals, develop a territory communication plan, develop a plan to immerse donors in the ministry of It Is Written, and set up a schedule designed to fulfill the required levels of donor visits.
  • Maintain updated donor records and files, making sure that all donor data is properly entered into the database.
  • Complete reports that are required by the PGTS department or It Is Written.
  • Participate in regularly scheduled phone/video meetings and share recent progress and activities along with upcoming plans.
• Fulfill other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

Performance Factors:

• Be a spiritual and personable leader who understands the importance of developing relationships as a vital spiritual ministry:
  • A mature Christian who is in agreement with all 28 fundamental Bible teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and who maintains a close, growing relationship with Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
  • Able to discern the spiritual condition of donors and understand how to encourage them to a greater understanding of the spiritual dimension of estate stewardship.
  • Is a “people person” – one who loves people and learning what makes them happy. A personable, good conversationalist with a variety of interests and the ability to relate well with a wide range of people types.
  • Understand and communicate the mission and initiatives of It Is Written.
• Be an ethical and professional leader who is willing to be certified and accredited in gift planning and trust services:
  • Obtain formal training in planned giving concepts and instruments with a commitment to continuing education in the field as required by the employer.
  • Is goal and task-oriented – one who is able to meet deadlines and goals, maintains a high level of self-discipline, is a self-starter in making donor visit appointments and following through, and excels in managing time on the road and in the office.
• Must be able to drive/operate a vehicle and have and maintain a valid driver's license.

Position Specifications:

Qualifications, Scope, and Complexity of Duties:

• Education:

A high school diploma, or equivalent, is required.

A bachelor’s degree is preferred.

• Certifications:

North American Division Trust Services Certification is required. If not already certified, must obtain certification within two (2) years of initial employment.

Thereafter, annual continuing education is required to maintain certification.

• Experience:

Planned giving and trust service experience is preferred.

A minimum of seven (7) years of professional work experience is required.

• Membership and Mission:

Embrace the mission and values of It Is Written and be a member in good standing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

• Skills, scope, and complexity of duties:

  • Exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to exercise direction, independent judgment, make decisions, and assume responsibility.
  • Exhibit excellent organizational skills and follow through on tasks and goals.
  • Display a positive attitude, show concern for people, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
  • Demonstrate servant leadership and exemplify a collaborative, decisive, motivating, and engaging communication style.
  • Possess extreme tact and discretion, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.
  • Commitment to pursue training on a regular basis to stay updated with the most recent trends and best practices in the industry.
  • Able to exhibit Christ-like behavior in daily tasks, collaborative projects, and under stress.
  • Exhibits cultural sensitivity when visiting clients’ homes.

• Interpersonal Relationships:

At It Is Written:

• • President
    • Manager/Treasurer
    • Director of Planned Giving and Trust Services
    • Office Staff
    • AMM Support Staff

Outside of It Is Written:

• • It Is Written donors, customers, and guests
    • Trust Officers and professional contacts of other SDA entities

Working Conditions:

• • General working conditions of an office
    • Occasional moderate to high stress levels due to meeting critical deadlines
    • Physical requirements: requires standing, walking, time at a desk, reaching, climbing, and lifting (maximum of 50 lbs.)
    • Travel flexibility and travel hazards.

Specific Requirements:

• • Salaried, projected 38+ regular hours per week
    • Will require variable hours and weekend work
    • No special safety gear required.
    • Business casual attire required.